Nutritional Therapy In Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: Case Report

Background/Aims: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired, immune-mediated disorder characterized by progressive symptoms of weakness and sensory deficits which can lead to significant neurological disability with estimated prevalence 1–2 per 100.000 adults. Neurological disability makes the patients physically unable to obtain or prepare food, leading to malnutrition and worsening health status. Methods: A female patient, 48 years old with progressive symptoms of weakness and sensory deficit for the last 9 months. Body weight decreased 37% (29 kg) dan hairloss. Nutrient intake during illness 18 kcal/kgBW, protein 0.7 g/kgBW, fat 35% and carbohydrate 48%, and at the beginning of therapy 31 kcal/kgBW, protein 1.3 g/ kgBW, fat 36% and carbohydrate 47%. Laboratory results anemia (10.6 g/dL), thrombocytosis (686.000/μL) and hypoalbuminemia (2.57 g/dL). Nutritional therapy given 35 kcal/kgBW, protein 1.3 g/kgBW, fat 29%, carbohydrate 56% as a balanced diet with supplementation of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, folic acid and vitamin D3. After 20 days of nutritional therapy and 5 times of plasmapheresis in hospital, symptom of weakness and sensory deficit decrease, body weight increase from 49 to 50 kg. Home visit was made for nutritional education and therapy. At the third home visit, body weight increase up to 51.4 kg, hair loss decrease and patient was trained to walk. Conclusion: Optimal nutritional therapy for CIDP patient may increase functional capacity and reduce malnutrition.